INL News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2022
NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS:
Elizabeth Brunner, 614-507-4224, [email protected]
Sarah Neumann, 208-520-1651, [email protected]
Net-Zero Program requests input on nuclear-generated electricity to reduce emissions
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho – Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is looking for ideas that can help the lab reduce its energy-related emissions using nuclear-generated electricity and heat to meet its net-zero goal.
Battelle Energy Alliance (BEA), the contractor that manages and operates INL, has issued a request for information that will inform several alternative approaches, including design, construction and operation of an on-site nuclear reactor that will help the lab achieve zero-carbon emissions by 2031.
“Nuclear energy is absolutely essential to achieving national and international net-zero goals,” said INL Director John Wagner. “We see this work as not only a core part of our mission, but also an opportunity to lead by example and reduce barriers to deploying emission-free nuclear energy technologies to local and global communities.”
INL is eager to demonstrate net-zero solutions, including integrating advanced reactors and other clean energy systems on a net-zero microgrid. Doing so can provide clean electricity and thermal energy as well as value-added products such as hydrogen. This request for information is the first step toward achieving that effort.
“We are reaching out to our various stakeholders, including utilities, industry developers and energy users in order to integrate knowledge and perspectives that will improve our final product,” said INL Net-Zero Program Director Jhansi Kandasamy. “We know sharing information is essential to realizing our net-zero goals here at INL.”
INL has been a driving force behind the nation’s clean energy research and development for 75 years. The goal of meeting net-zero emissions by 2031 encompasses the almost 900-square-mile INL Site, which includes more than 100 miles of transmission lines, a landfill, vehicle fleet, numerous buildings, and hundreds of miles of roads. This will be an important achievement that can inform other similar initiatives throughout the region as well as nationally.
BEA is requesting input as it plans for the nuclear energy component of its Net-Zero Program. When providing input, respondents are asked to include the data, analysis and other justification for responses, where applicable.
Responses to this request for information must be submitted, in writing, to [email protected]. All responses must be received by 5 p.m. (MST) on May 16. BEA encourages feedback from industry, utilities, energy users and other stakeholders.
BEA is not currently soliciting offers or acquiring services or goods. The information obtained through this request will be used by BEA for planning purposes.
More information on BEA’s request for information can be found here.
